Walking into Ian’s house is like second nature. I half expect to find Anal Anna lounging by the pool. I don’t know why Ian has a house in Los Angeles, especially when I live in New York City and that’s where we’re from. Ian living here makes things extremely difficult. I don’t want to be here. Being on the East Coast also puts me closer to Ryan and allows me to be in my own home instead of a hotel.
I know I’ll find Ian in his office; I think he sleeps in there most nights. Voices carry down the hall. The closer I get, the more familiar the second voice is. My hand shakes as I twist the knob, pushing the door open slightly. The creak in the hinges gets their attention. They both turn and look at me. Ian’s smiling and leaning back in his chair, his hands behind his head. I know he’s done this on purpose. This is my punishment for wanting to be with Ryan and I have a feeling I won’t be able to get out of this newly inked deal, whether I want to or not.
I want to turn and run out of the room, out of the house, when he stands. His movements are slow, calculated. He holds onto the arm of the chair like it’s his lifeline. I’m trying to look away, but my eyes betray me. Coleman notices, his mouth turning up. I look away, closing my eyes. I can’t look at him without reliving that night.
Meeting him at fifteen, we started dating a year later. It was intense and far too committed for being so young. Both of us were determined to be successful recording artists and let stardom go to our heads. Well at least he did. He couldn’t or wouldn’t say no to anyone, which was a slight problem for me, especially when I found another woman in our bed.
It only took one night for my life to turn upside down. We had been living together for about six months. I missed him and decided I needed to see him, regardless of being on tour. We had been on opposite sides of the country for far too long.
When I opened the door, it was like one of those Lifetime movies. Clothes spread out on the floor leading to my bedroom, champagne bottle tipped over and the moaning. I’ll never forget that sound as long as I live.
I knew I shouldn’t have opened the door, but I couldn’t resist. My heart was already breaking. I just needed the visuals to split it in half.
They both looked at me, she smiled and he… he threw her off of him and came after me, apologizing as he chased me down the hall. I made it to the front door before he trapped me against it. He held me there, his naked body laced with her scent pushed against mine. He was crying, telling me how much he loved me and that she was a mistake. A stupid, stupid mistake.
I left that night without looking at him. I couldn’t. The next day Ian had moving trucks at the apartment and I was front-page news. The break-up was messy and spread across the tabloids. Everything I did was scrutinized. Every date I went on we were hounded by the press. It was never-ending and the only way to make it stop was to stop dating.
“I didn’t expect you to be on time.”
I jerk up and stare at my uncle. I don’t know why he has to be such an ass, but maybe he needs a reminder of who signs his paycheck. I stand in the doorway with no intention of moving.
“Are you going to join us?”
“No, I think I’ll wait until your meeting is over before we start ours.” I look down at my watch. “How much longer? I’m busy.”
Ian lets his chair spring forward, his hands landing on his desk. He chuckles, shaking his head. “This is our meeting, Hadley. Why don’t you come in and sit down.”
I shake my head. “I’m fine right here. Quick escape for when I’m utterly disgusted with you. Don’t worry though. The fill line is getting close. I’m sure it won’t take much to set me off.”
“So be it. As you can see, Cole is here and I’m sure you’re smart enough to guess that you guys are going on tour. It’s small, but nightly. There won’t be any time for you to gallivant. There will be no meet and greets, either.”
My fingers rub my temples. There are so many things wrong with this. Mainly that I’m going to miss Ryan’s birthday and I can’t have that.
“I’ll need a day off in December.”
“No.”
“You’re not my father, Ian. If I need a day off, I’m going to take it.”
Ian stands, his hands pressing down on his desk. “You need this tour after your last little fiasco. You will not take a day off. You have a lot at stake here. Don’t encourage me to make a phone call. I have a list of people asking the same question over and over again. Would you like your friend to be front page news?”
“Watch me.” I push off the wall and storm down the hall. I know I probably made a huge mistake, but I can’t stand being in the same room with either of them. The footsteps behind me make me walk faster. His hand gets to the door before I have a chance to open it, blocking me. It’s that night all over again.
“You’re being unreasonable, Hadley.”
I want to scream when he says my name. I haven’t seen him since that night and now he’s here making my life a living nightmare.
“Cole, move your hand so I can leave.”
“We need to talk. I mean, we haven’t seen each other in a long time and we should catch up. How about we go for some coffee?”
I shake my head, willing the impending headache to vacate its current residence inside my brain. My head feels as if it’s going to explode, not to mention the tears that are threatening to leak down my face. I have nothing to say to Coleman Hollister.
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
His fingers move down the back of my arm. I jerk away, offended by him even thinking he can touch me.
“Don’t,” I say through clenched teeth. “You don’t get to touch me, ever.”